Who Is Adelita Grijalva and Why Her Swearing-In to Congress Is Being Delayed? Controversy Explained

Democrats are intensifying pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat who won last month’s special election to succeed her late father.

The delay has drawn growing attention this week, with Johnson facing questions from lawmakers, reporters, and even C-SPAN viewers over why Grijalva has not yet taken the oath of office. Johnson maintains that she will be sworn in when the House reconvenes, blaming the government shutdown for the hold-up.

Who Is Adelita Grijalva?

Adelita Grijalva is the daughter of the late Rep. Raul Grijalva, a longtime progressive leader who chaired the House Natural Resources Committee and played a major role in shaping U.S. environmental policy.

She began her political career on a school board before joining the Pima County Board of Supervisors, where she became the second woman to serve as chair. Grijalva easily won the Sept. 23 special election to complete her father’s term, representing a largely Hispanic district where Democrats hold a nearly two-to-one advantage over Republicans.

Grijalva’s Response to the Delay

Grijalva expressed frustration over the delay but remained respectful toward her future Democratic colleagues.

“I think it’s great to be able to be in a room with those who will be my colleagues, but then you very quickly realize that you are not part of the club yet,” she told the Associated Press. “If I had big money to bet, I would bet that if I were a Republican representative waiting in the wings, I would have already been sworn in by now.”

She voiced concern over the precedent being set, saying, “The bedrock of our democracy is free, fair, unobstructed elections. And if Speaker Johnson believes this is, as I do, then he will quit toying with our democratic process and swear me in.”

Why the House Is Empty

Since Sept. 19, most House members have been in their home districts after Republicans passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through Nov. 21. Johnson sent lawmakers home to pressure the Senate into approving the funding bill, though the tactic has yet to succeed.

Johnson has not scheduled any floor votes since, aside from brief pro forma sessions where no legislative action takes place. “We will swear her in when everybody gets back,” he told reporters this week.

Typically, lawmakers elected in special elections take their oath during active legislative sessions, greeted by applause and a short floor speech. However, in April, Johnson swore in two Florida Republicans — Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine — during a pro forma session less than 24 hours after their elections.

Johnson explained that their situation was unique because the House had unexpectedly adjourned, and both lawmakers had already arranged for their families and supporters to attend. “As a courtesy to them and their families, we went ahead and administered the oath to an empty chamber,” he said on C-SPAN. “We’re going to administer the oath as soon as she gets back.”

Democrats Keep Up Pressure

Although Democrats lack formal leverage to compel action while the House is in recess, they continue to apply pressure.

On Wednesday, Arizona’s two Democratic senators, Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, confronted Johnson outside his office over the delay. “You just keep coming up with excuses,” Gallego told him, while Johnson dismissed the exchange as a “publicity stunt.”

Democrats have also attempted to have Grijalva sworn in during pro forma sessions, but the presiding officer has ignored their motions.

“Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva should be sworn in now. It should have happened this week, should have happened last week. It needs to happen next week,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Thursday.

The Epstein Files Connection

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has been collecting signatures for a petition to force a vote on releasing federal files related to Jeffrey Epstein — and is one signature short of the 218 needed.

Grijalva has pledged to sign the petition once sworn in, which would provide the decisive signature. Democrats argue Johnson is delaying her swearing-in, and the House’s return, to postpone any Epstein-related vote.

Johnson rejected that claim on C-SPAN, saying, “This has zero to do with Epstein.”

Grijalva said she initially dismissed the theory that her delay was linked to the Epstein bill. “I thought, no way, he’s gonna swear me in. It’ll be fine,” she said. “Here we are two weeks later.”

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